Weather Forecast

Horned owl spotted at Hamden Slough

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, Sept. 11, sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.

Migration continues in the northwest, and with the coming of the recent rains, shorebird habitat is shrinking. Birds continue to come through however, and birders should look for unusual species that may have been impacted by the recent hurricanes. Migrating common nighthawks were seen on Saturday, Sept. 6, in Traverse, Clay, Norman, Polk, Red Lake, and Pennington Counties.

An ibis species was found at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on September 7, feeding busily in South Pool along CR 7 just east of the refuge headquarters. The bird hasn't been seen since Tuesday, so it is assumed that it left ahead of the last cold front.

Dale Yerger found two juvenile Sabine's gulls at the Walker wastewater treatment ponds in Cass County on September 7. Directions are to travel north from the intersection of MN 371 and MN 200 for 2 miles, then turn left at township road 73, and follow it up and to the right to the ponds.

Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported the discovery of 3-4 Eurasian collared-doves in Perham in Otter Tail County on September 6. The birds were seen in the coniferous trees behind Jean's Right Plant Place, located along 3rd Ave SE. It is thought that one or more of these birds may be hybrids as they do not show all the characteristics of a Eurasian collared-dove.

From Becker County, Michael Cary observed a great horned owl at Hamden Slough NWR just down from the headquarters on September 4.

Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported that warblers are starting to move through. He also reported several turkey vultures, and a group of 25 black-billed magpies.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com or call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place.